India, June 18 -- Despite a Supreme Court directive clearing the way for the release of Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life' in Karnataka, the film's local distributor has firmly stated he has no intention of screening it in the state, The New Indian Express reported.

Venkatesh Kamalakar, who had acquired the distribution rights for Karnataka under the banner of VR Films, confirmed that he is opting out of the release altogether.

"We are not planning to release, and we will not release. We had taken the distribution rights for Thug Life but couldn't proceed earlier due to the issues already known," Venkatesh told the publication.

With the film already into its third week since release, he dismissed the possibility of a delayed rollout.

"It's al...